Tricycle



sept. 7,1926. 1598,869

R. A. MCCANN TRICYCLE File'd Mav 10, 1926 frame.

Patented Sept. `7, 1926.

UNITED l. STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

ROY A. IVICCANN, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. n

TRICYCLE.

Application 'nieu May ,'10,

high Land the tricycle Vwilltip over quite easily. Very painful injuries vhave occurred especially to small'children because thetricycle tips over easily'.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel tricycle which is almost impossible to tip over. I accomplish this object by providing a tricycle in which the seat is placed very low; infact, the seat is preferably placed between the backwheels of the tricycle. For this reason the vcent-er of gravity will be verylow and the danger of tipping is greatly reduced.` y i It is another object of this invention to provide a novel tricycle in whichthe rider may exert considerable propelling force, thus obtaining muchpower and having the ability to travel fast. This object of the invention is accomplished by placing the seat very low so that the riders legs extend sub,- stantially horizontal to the propelling pedals.

This arrangement, FI find, permits much force lto be exerted on the* pedals which results in power and speed. A

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made evidentv hereinafter. f

Referring to the drawing inwhich I illustrate my invention, v Y F'g. 1 vis a plan view thereof. Fig. 2 is an elevation partly sectioned, this view being taken substantially as indicated -by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The'form of the invention shownin the drawing has a fork .frame 11 which provides a fork 12 which is composed. of a pair of legs, as shown. Extendingfrom the upper end of the fork 12 is aspindle 13 of the fork The forltframe 11 is inclined, as shown, at a considerable anglev from vertical. The numeral 15 represents a main frame having a bearing sleeve 16 through which the spindlelS extends, and in which the spindle is journaled. Extending from the bearing sleeve 16 is a frame proper indicated by the numeral 17. The frame proper consists mainly of a pair of legs 18, the forward parts of which are placed in contact with each other, whereas the rear ends 19 of the legs 18 are separated aconsderable distance. The forward ends of the legs 18 extend from the bearing sleeve 16 substan- 192e. serial No. 107,946;

tially at right angles to the extension ofy the fork frame 11; therefore, `the forward portion extends in a plane which approaches a vertical plane.k The legs 18, however, are curved near their central parts so that the rear ends 19 thereof extend in a plane which is substantially horizontal. The rear ends of the legs y19 do, however, decline lbackward, as shown.

Aedrive vwheel21 having a shaft 22 -is rotatably supported between the forward ends of the fork 12. Attached Vto the shaft 22 of the drive wheel 21 at each side of the forlr12 are cranks 23, to the outer ends ofvwhich foot' pedals 24 are secured. A rear axle-26 extends between the rear ends 19 of the legs 18 and secured on the opposite vends of the rear `axle 26 are rear wheels 27, these rear wheels 27 being situated immediately outside the rear ends 19 of the legs 18. The wheels: 27 are smaller in diameter than the drive` wheel 21; therefore, the rear axlef26 in a plane which is lower than the shaft 22 of the drive wheel 21.

vExtending from the upper end of the spindle 18 above the bearing sleeve 16 is a post 29, and attached to thevpost 29 is a handlebar 30 having handles 31by means ofwhich the fork frame 11 may be rotated in order to steer the tricycle. n y

The numeral 35 represents a seat whichis of a bucket typehaving a backy 36. The seat 35 is supported by thelegs 18 of the mainframe'l and, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, is' placed between the rear wheels 27, and as shown in Fig. 2 is placed `immediately above the rear axle 26. As will be ynoted from Fig. 2, the seat 35 is placed in a plane which is below the axis of rotation of the drive wheel-21, the axis ofrotation being the center of the shaft 22. y

One important feature of the invention is that the tricycle willnot tip over because the seat is placed between the rear wheels 27 and immediately above the rear axle 26. The rider will sit very low and therefore thel center of gravity of tricycle and rider will be extremely low. This practically prevents the tricycle from tipping over under any conditions. The tricycle may be ridden over rough ground and oversteep inclines without difficulty or danger of tipping Another feature of the invention is that the rider may obtain considerable power, and travel at a comparatively fast speed. This is because of the fact that the seat 35 is very low and that the riders legs extend substantially horizontal. The handles 3l otl the handle-bar 3 are in such a position that the rider may firmly brace himself andl may exert considerable t'orc'e on the pedals Qd. rihe seat- 255 is slightly reclined and will be very comfortable tor the rider. The space between the rear wheels 27 is sulhcient to permit a roomy seat 35 to be provided which also eouduces to comfort. It should Lbe un'- derstood that small details maybe changed without departing' `from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the design ot the frame portion might be modified, but so long as the incline is not disturbed it will not deviate trom the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a tricycle of the class described, the combination of: a fork -frame consisting of a fork and 4a spindle extendingtrom said fork, said 'fork member being inclined so that the fork end thereoi-l is lowest; a main frame consisting' ot a sleevein which said spindle is journaled, and legs extending trom said sleeve, said legs xtending down at a considerable angle near said spindle and being` curved so that the ends thereof extend nearly horizontal; a drive wheel pivoted between said fork; cranks associated with said drive wheel; pedals attached to said cranks; an axle supported by the rear ends of said legs; rear wheels rotatably` mounted near the opposite ends of said axle; steering,` means associated with said fork trame; and a seat supported at the rear ends of said legs and between said rear wheels, said seat being so positioned that ltheriders legs will extend substantially horizontal to said pedals.

2. In a tricycle olf the class described, the combination et: a. fork frame consisting of a fork and a spindle extending` trom said fork, said fork niemierbeing inclined so that the fork end thereof is lowest; a main iframe consistingot a sleeve in which said spindle is journaled; and legs extending from said sleeve, said legs extending down at a considerable angle near said spindle and being` curved so that the ends thereof extend nearly horizontal; a drive wheel pivoted between said fori; cranks associated witli said drive wheel;- pedals attached to said cranks; an axle supported by the rear ends of said legs; rear' wheels rotatably mounted near the opposite ends of said axle; steering means associated with said tork trame; and a seat supported at the rear ends of said legsand between said rear wheels, said seat being immediately above said axle and being in a plane which is lower than the axis oi' said drive wheel, said seat being so positioned that the riders legs will extend substantially horizontal to said pedals.

3. In a tricycle ot the class described'` the combination of: a fork lirame'consisting of a fork and a spindle extending from said fork, said fork member being inclined so that the fork end thereof is lowest; a main frame consisting otl a sleeve in which said spindle is journaled, and a trame proper.4 said trame proper havingl legs, the rear ends of which are separated and extend nearly horizontal; a drive wheel pivoted between said tork; cranks associated with said drive wheel; pedals attached to said cranks; an axle supported by the rear ends ot said legs; rear wheels rotatably mounted near the opposite ends of said axle; steeringr means associated with said fork trame; and a seat supported at the rear ends of said legs and between said rear wheel, said seat being so positioned that the riders legs will extend substantially horizontal to said pedals.-

4. In a tricycle of the class described, the combination of: a fork frame consisting ot' a fork and a spindle extendingfrom said fork, said fork member" being inclined so that the fork end thereof is lowest; a main trame consisting:lr of a sleeve in which said spindle is journaled, and a frame proper', said frame proper having legs, the rear ends of which are' separated and extend nearly horizontal; a drive wheel pivoted between said fork; cranks associated with said drive wheel; pedals attached to said cranks; an axle supported by the rear ends of said legs; rear wheels rotatably mounted near the opposite ends of said axle; steeringmeans associated with said Jfork iframe; and a seat supported at the rear ends ot said legs and between said rear wheels,- said seat beingl immediately above said axle and being in a plane which is lower than the axis of said` drive wheel, said seat being so positioned that the riders legs will extend substantially horizontal to said pedals.

In testimony whereof,- I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles; California, this 3rd day of May, 1926:

ROY A; MCGANN, 

